Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
On This Day: US, Panama sign canal treaty.
On Sept. 7, 1977, President Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos signed a treaty to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama.
Construction of the Panama Canal, looking north at Gold Hill, from the Cucaracha Slide ca. 1912. On September 7, 1977, President Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos signed a treaty to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama.
Source: UPI
Reduce Stress and Shave 70% Off Your Medical Costs in Panama.
This is the kind of laidback, healthy life that can await you in Panama. And it’s common for expats who’ve adapted to this new pace to experience improvements in health. Not having to worry about exorbitant dental-care bills…eating fresh tropical fruit, on display nearly everywhere you look…spending time outdoors, thanks to abundant sunshine and warm weather…it all begins to have a positive effect.
“Our lifestyle here is so much more tranquilo than it would be if we were back home,” an expat in Panama said to me recently. She explained that her daily routine here, after waking to the sound of chattering birds, is to enjoy a smoothie using local fresh produce, such as fresh coconut water, mango, pineapple, guanábana, and bananas. “Then I often swim or paddleboard…our small house is situated on a bay facing the ocean.”
Source: Huffington Post
Panama’s native tree species excel in infertile tropical soils.
What is the best way to use land to prevent flooding, maximize water storage during dry periods, store carbon, protect tropical diversity and maximize timber value? The Agua Salud project evaluates these options in a 700-hectare experiment in the Panama Canal watershed.
Teak, the most valuable species for tropical reforestation, often performs poorly in the acid soils of steeply sloping land in the tropics. As human population skyrockets and land becomes a scarce resource, balancing tradeoffs between reforestation, conservation, water availability and carbon storage becomes paramount. In a recent publication from the Smart Reforestation Program, Smithsonian scientists and collaborators including the Panama Canal Authority confirm that native tree species performed very well in field trials and would be preferable to teak in this situation.
Source: Science Daily
Boquete: Panama’s Perfect Mountain Paradise
If you’ve visited Boquete, Panama before, you’ll understand why this title’s true. Boquete is one of the true treats of small-town Panama, popular with locals for centuries, and now a hot spot for tourism and expat relocation as well. Boquete is situated about a 6-hour drive from Panama City, tucked away in the Chiriqui highlands. It’s easy to reach from David (Panama’s 2nd largest city) which is a 40-minute drive away.
There’s so much to do in Boquete, it’s hard to imagine it all possible in such a small, picturesque town. Upon your arrival, you’ll immediately notice the restaurants, shops, and tour companies in the center of the village. This is where much of the action happens, as well as the base for excursions around town, and in more remote parts of the region of Chiriqui. Some of the more popular activities include hiking, ATV expeditions, rafting, Yoga, shopping, and coffee tours. Thanks to its climate and altitude, Boquete is right in the heart of Panama’s coffee region. This makes for a unique opportunity to see how some of the world’s best coffee is grown, harvested, and made (taste testing is the best!).
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
